Release Date:

August 22, 1936

Main Character(s):

Porky Pig

Summary:

A hawk has been kidnapping some of Porky Pig’s beloved hens. This time, when the hawk strikes, he kidnaps a chick. Porky goes after the hawk in his plane to get rid of him once and for all.

That’s Not All, Folks:

This is the first cartoon directed by Frank Tashlin, who would become another great director at the studio, serving two directorial stints, one in the late 1930’s and the other in the early 1940’s during World War ll. Tashlin would later become a live-action film director of comedies starring Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.

This is also the first cartoon scored by Carl Stalling, who would score the more than 600 Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies for the next 22 years until his retirement in 1958.

What I Like About This One:

With two important people debuting here (not to mention the fact that voice artist Mel Blanc would be arriving soon), this is the sign that Warner Bros. officially started to find their footing, and, for the next few decades, would create consistently great cartoons year after year.

Tashlin immediately showing his specialty by showing innovative camera angles and pans.

A rooster waking everyone up by clucking “Reveille”.

Porky helping chicks get their food by faking the other chickens out and snake-charming worms out of their holes.

The sinister music that plays when the hawk is first seen flying through the sky.

Porky getting sent flying backward when shooting at the hawk and then hitting an apple tree.

Porky shooting off the hawk’s tail feathers.

After the hawk calls his friends to help him out, they shoot off Porky’s plane’s propellers. But Porky gains new propellers by using the sails on a windmill.

The hawks using the chick like a football, but they fumble allowing Porky to save him.

Porky sending the hawks plummeting to the ground via the plane’s exhaust, and the hens burying them alive. The Reveille rooster then puts a flower on top of the pile of dirt.

The hens getting spooked by a weather vane.

Where Can I Watch It?

At archive.org!

Carrot Rating:

🥕🥕🥕🥕 ½